Streak: This is my hidey house! My house, my house, my house!
Sparrowman: Hey, that was my house!
Streak: I peed in here first!
Sparrowman: I peed in there last night! Which was before you peed in it!
Streak: Well, I rubbed my butt on it first, so there.
Sparrowman: You're stinking up my house! Hey! I'm in charge here! (raising his chin)
Streak: Yeah? Well, maybe I don't like you being in charge! What do you think about that? (raising his chin higher)
Sparrowman: Maybe I don't care what you think! (raising his chin even higher)
Streak: Oh yeah? (biting Sparrowman's neck)
Sparrowman: Cheater! I'll get you! (attacking Streak)

I have decided ignorance can be a good thing. I raised two boars from babyhood to 3-year-old adulthood without incident. There was no humping, no chasing, no boar stink, nothing.

Well, then I discovered Guinea Lynx and its wealth of information about boar behavior. I remember thinking how lucky I was that my boars were well-behaved and had resigned themselves to a life of chastity.

When one of my boys passed away, I did want any loving "mother" would do, I added two baby boy boars for company. After all, what could go wrong?

Um....yeah. At five months old, Cookie and Oreo have hit adolesence. Not the peaceful, calm adolescence I'm used to. The kind of adolesence that Feylin writes about.

My eyes are now blurred and stinging from the toxic fume cloud of boar stink eminating from my precious boys. Oreo and Cookie have decided to hump anything and everything that they can reach. My three year old boy is holding his own against the hormonal teens, but what I worry about his little heart. He's a hefty boy and gets around fine, but he's 3 1/2 pounds. Will he get a little heart attack from being chased by the little ones? There has never been a problem with them getting along.

I have even sacrificed my favorite IKEA piggie to appease the "hormone gods". As you can see from the pictures below, the offering has been accepted.

Oreo, the main raging hormone, welcomes the newcomer.

Cookie thinks that looks like fun and gives it a try.

I have many inappropriate captions I could label this photo, but I will stick with a "G" rated one. All three pigs introduce themselves to the visitor.

My first inclination is to separate Peanut (older boar) to "protect" him. I now know this is normal behavior for boars. I know it takes months for them to grow out of it. But, do they ever take a break? I really am concerned about my fat piggy's health having to fend off suitors. Any advice would be welcome.

P.S. They've been very vocal for the past hour, talking and chirping like a flock of birds.

Anyways, no, I'm pretty sure your boy will not have a heart attack from all the running around. (Assuming he has no heart issues!) It's probably good for him to get some moving and exercise- you can even allow a bit of weight loss as he gets into shape!

Personally, I think the boys enjoy all their various male antics. Mine chatter and talk constantly to one another when they are not humping or peeing on someone. Yours look like happy happy boys!

I do have to say though- how big is that cage? I'm noticing TONS of small spaces perfect for arguments. I'd get rid of that wood house, put the fiddlesticks so that each end has an oppening (you've got it backed up to the wall), ditch the grassy tunnel for now (keep it for floor time). Instead, streatch a towel over each end to make little sleeping areas. THe boys can feel safe with out feeling trapped if one of the other guys comes over.

Also? I see that your trouble maker is a black and white roan. My 2 worst ones are the same. I think there's something in the genes that includes too much attitude.

(Edited to remove the non PG rated comment!)

Last edited by Feylin on Thu Sep 04, 2008 9:03 pm, edited 4 times in total.

Oh my gosh, I just discovered this thread. I have tears rolling down my face from laughing so hard. My daughter just walked in, saw the tears and assumed I was upset about Quilt (as I usually am while updating his medical thread). Too funny.

This is a great thread for her to see as she use to get furious with Spice for humping my poor, sweet Quilt. They are now separated. We gave Spice a little stuffed (dog-toy, pig-safe) Skunk for his, um, manliness but he has yet to assert himself with it. Perhaps an Ikea pig is in order.

LOL! I could not help but crack up laughing at this thread. If you are an owner of sows, you have never had the ummm what's the word...privilege..okay maybe incorrect word but the smell of boar stank. BLAH! I thought I was going to throw up when I first smelled it. That dang IKEA guinea pig. I'm going to have to look into getting one of those for each of my boys. LOL! Those Ikea lady sows seem to be rather popular.
I can only imagine what those boars are thinking.

LOL well as only a owner of sows I get much amusment in reading Feylin's stories and other boar stories from boar moms...I also breathe a sigh of relief sometimes lol

I have a horrific scenario in my head... I'm imagining the Boar Funk would probably smell similar to boyfriend flatulence or at least as strongly LOL...and that would just not be good I deal with that enough as it is!!! (too much information? lol).

Disclaimer: I hope I am not offending anyone by making a hurricane reference so soon after Hurricane Gustav. I don't mean to make light of anyone's experiences.

Category 1 hurricanes Oreo and Cookie went through my pigs' cage last night and have now been downgraded to really smelly tropical storms. All in all, we weathered the storm well.

Peanut is no worse for wear (literally and figuratively). We only had one casualty, Annabel, the IKEA pig. After all she has suffered, I thought she at least deserved a name. Annabel will be recovering in the washing machine, "hydrotherapy", with lots of soap and hot water. She would like her picture taken only after she has spent some time in the "dry and fluff" cycle.

LANDREWS, I was laughing out loud when I read the "conversation" between the boars and the IKEA GP!

I had to wake up early this morning. When my alarm went off at 4:00 a.m., I went out to check on the pigs. I could not believe all the "activity" and noise was still taking place.

Weirdly enough, I came home this afternoon, and my innocent, celibate pigs had returned. Everyone was calm and *normal*. Is this just the "eye of the storm"? Like a light switch, the activity started yesterday, now it is over. I will enjoy the lull while I can. I can't imagine I have seen the last of boar mating behaviors.

Feylin, I have a 2 x 5 C & C. I now realize this may be on the small side for three boys. I'm considering adding a loft which will be my first step. If that doesn't help, I'll find some room to have a 2 x 6. Thanks for all the cage suggestions. I have moved and removed some of their furniture and added draped towels. Maybe that is one reason they were able to calm down a little today. Wish us luck!